ESPN reaches deal with WSOP to air Main Event final table

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The World Series of Poker announced a historic multi-year agreement to return poker’s most prestigious event to ESPN.

Beginning in 2026, ESPN will provide comprehensive coverage of the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em World Championship, better known as the WSOP Main Event, culminating in a highly anticipated three-night live finale in prime time on linear television.

The agreement signals a new era for the brand under its current ownership, prioritizing mainstream reach and high-end storytelling.

A Revitalized Tournament Format & Live Finale
Broadcasting will begin on July 2 with Day 1A of the Main Event. Under the new agreement, poker fans can expect wall-to-wall coverage, with each tournament day receiving a minimum of six hours of programming. In total, ESPN platforms will feature approximately 100 hours of original programming per year.

In a strategic return to a "cliffhanger" television format, once the tournament reaches the final table on July 13, play will be paused. The surviving finalists will reconvene 20 days later for a live, three-day televised finale airing August 3-5 from 9pm-12am EST. During the 20-day hiatus, ESPN will air specially curated prime-time episodes to build momentum and introduce the final table competitors to a global audience.
World-Class Production

WSOP aims to elevate the upcoming broadcast to the standards of major league sports, and has engaged award-winning Omaha Productions to help achieve this. Known for innovative hits like Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli (the “ManningCast”) and Netflix’s "Quarterback" and "Receiver", Omaha Productions will apply its signature storytelling lens to the poker table.

Official Quotes
“The World Series of Poker is a global phenomenon that transcends the gaming category, and our goal is to bring it to the widest possible audience,” said Ty Stewart, CEO of the WSOP. “Returning to ESPN - the home of our most iconic moments since 1987 - allows us to showcase the human drama of the Main Event like never before. With our new ownership’s commitment to growth, this is the perfect time to bring the 'World Championship' back to the biggest stage in sports.”

“We’re proud to welcome the World Series of Poker back to ESPN,” said Ashley O’Connor, Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions at ESPN. “Poker is filled with unexpected storylines, and nobody is better equipped to showcase the stories that unfold throughout a tournament more than ESPN. Bringing the WSOP back reflects our continued commitment to delivering premium competition and that connects with fans in new and exciting ways.”
Legacy and Future

ESPN first broadcast the WSOP Main Event in 1978 and remained the dominant broadcaster of the event for decades, helping to fuel the global poker boom. This agreement restores that historic collaboration, ensuring that the next generation of world champions is crowned in prime time.